The Poster for Wintertelling 2016

Wintertelling Coming Up

Winter...

a time for telling warming stories

perhaps something that makes you think or wonder

perhaps something that brings a smile to your face

perhaps a time to tell secrets of the beings who sleep during the winter and so won't hear what you are telling about them


Time for the Bloomington Storytelling Guild's annual WINTERTELLING.  Gather with us at the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium on Friday, February 12 at 7:00 pm to listen to a collection of warm tales from our member tellers.

IF you are interested in telling, please email the Guild and also plan to bring your story to the AUDITIONS on Sunday, January 31, 3:30 to 5:00 pm at the Monroe County Public Library.

Cup of hot tea optional.

Do you wonder about fairy tales being "updated?"

Sometimes tellers feel that they mustn't change an old fairy tale.  Here's an interesting take on that from the book Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked.

"...one important thing...that most scholars failed to acknowledge until recently -- is that fairy tales change.  In fact, fairy tales have remarkable mercurial properties.  They adapt to the weather, to local fashions, and to the mindset of each new teller and audience.

They record regional cuisines and local hairstyles -- and of course, more important things. ... they catalog not only broad elements of human experience but also the particular details of each day and age.  They express our collective truths, even as these truths change beneath our noses.

And part of their magic lies in the fact that as they do they provide not only a glimpse into our present concerns but also a record of our past."

--Catherine Orenstein

2015 Festival of Ghost Stories fades into history

Oh, we had a fine time at the Festival of Ghost Stories.

Sure, there were some (literally) cold feet -- and noses and ears, too. 

 But really the weather was just fine for the event.

The audience was wrapped up warmly and ready to listen to our tales.

 Stephanie welcomed everyone and got the evening off to an appropriately yucky start with the sort of urban legend that makes everyone go "eeewwww".

The stories followed-- some serious, some suspenseful, some ironic, some amusing, some just plain spooky -- and all entertaining.

I do hope you were in the audience since we didn't tape the telling this year.

And it was really worth hearing!

Thanks to : 

Monroe County Public Library

Bloomington Department of Parks and Recreation

the volunteers who poured the hot apple cider

and to

Barry Lively,http://www.photoventure.org/ for the photos!

Upcoming: Annual Festival of Ghost Stories

Once again we celebrate the season for scary stories with our annual Festival of Ghost Stories.

Look for us FRIDAY OCTOBER 30

in Bryan Park (see link here)

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Wrap up warmly for a chilly night

and bring your blanket or chair to sit on.

If it rains?  We'll move to the Monroe County Public Library.

Weather uncertain?  Not sure if we'll be outside or not?
Call the Community Events Hotline at 812-349-3754.

A community event presented by the Bloomington Storytellers Guild and sponsored by Monroe County Public Library and Bloomington Parks and Recreation.

Storytelling in Southern Indiana

The latest issue of 812 The Magazine  features a look at various styles of storytelling in our neck of the woods.   The section on "The Traditional Storyteller" features our own Stephanie:

Check out the article!

Supper and a story

Well, yes, we do like to eat as well as tell stories...

and here's an occasion to do both!

Guild Gathering
Friday
June 5th
6:00 p.m.

in the back meeting room at Noodles and Company, in Eastland Plaza.

Come to nibble noodles and talk tales and telling -- bring interested friends and family -- stories not required, but if you have one you want to share please let the Guild coordinator know!

See you there!